2009 has been a great year for the release of vintage Japanese films on North American DVD. One of the more unique and unexpected Japanese releases of the year is AnimEigo's four disc collector's set of the sentimental Tora-san comedies from Shochiku. Although these films are generally unknown to Western audiences, AnimEigo's immaculate box set should turn many skeptics into converts.
Volume One of the Tora-san collector's set covers the first four films: Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp (1969), Tora-san's Cherished Mother (1969), Tora-san, His Tender Love (1970), and Tora-san's Grand Scheme (1970). Unbelievably, forty-eight of Tora-san films were made. Each film stars Kiyoshi Atsumi, who played the smash-faced yakuza drifter named Torajiro Kuruma (aka Tora-san). Yoji Yamada directed all but two of the films. Torajiro Kuruma is a two-sided character. On one hand, he is a bumbling tough guy whose non-stop banter about farting and peeing are a constant source of amusement. In addition to being a comical character,...
Volume One of the Tora-san collector's set covers the first four films: Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp (1969), Tora-san's Cherished Mother (1969), Tora-san, His Tender Love (1970), and Tora-san's Grand Scheme (1970). Unbelievably, forty-eight of Tora-san films were made. Each film stars Kiyoshi Atsumi, who played the smash-faced yakuza drifter named Torajiro Kuruma (aka Tora-san). Yoji Yamada directed all but two of the films. Torajiro Kuruma is a two-sided character. On one hand, he is a bumbling tough guy whose non-stop banter about farting and peeing are a constant source of amusement. In addition to being a comical character,...
- 11/21/2009
- Screen Anarchy
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